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Patea residents are warned to boil their water after tests revealed E. coli in the water supply.

"Routine tests have detected the bacteria Escherichia coli, known as E. coli, in the Patea Water Supply, and investigations are now under way to find the source," South Taranaki District Council water supply manager Peter Cook said in a statement.

Mr Cook advised residents to boil all water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or for food preparation until further notice.

Bringing water to the boil is enough to kill all bugs, however the council recommends boiling the water for about a minute, he said.